A Victim of Ivan Photo

Photographer’s Note

This humble but attractive old structure stood at the gate to a colonial “great house” in Wiilliamsfield in the Parish of Manchester. Under the patches of zinc and cement are a stone foundation, hardwood boards, a fretwork decorated porch and a wood shingle roof.

There used to be many buildings like this all over Jamaica. While not in the front ranks of historically and culturally important buidings -- and generally unappreciated, they added greatly to the unique and charming character of Jamaica’s rural communities. Sadly, very few now remain, the victims of concrete modernization (a trend driven by security concerns), floods, fires and hurricanes. It was a hurricane -- Ivan in 2004 -- that took this one. As the hurricane season officially began this month, it seemed appropriate to post a reminder. (A scan from an old slide.)

lindsay31, casperduppy, KateinDenmark, Clementi has marked this note useful

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lindsay31 (30) 2009-06-13 18:43

Thanks for the chance to appreciate the passing of time, evolution of materials and design. What would be classed as 1st home buyers or renovators dream!
It is unfortunate that history can be obliterated by nature; fortunately this image remains.

serp2000 (9355) 2009-06-13 19:57

Hi, Mary,
A stranged name for this hurricane, usually a harricanes have a women names ;))) Interesting shot!
TFS!
Serghei

casperduppy (1462) 2009-06-18 12:41

Hi Mary,
This is such a lovely shot of quiet rural Jamaica, where things happen at a very slow pace. A rustic old yard, repaired and renovated, that most likely sees stormy weather and rainfall on a regular basis. After all, a lot of rain falls in Manchester, even at times when the worrying winds are far from land. An old scan as you say, with a nice soft touch and perfectly composed. Dance posters on the door, and a red dirt set of steps that could do with a brush and polish :)

I do hope you keep posting your Jamaica pictures, in particular any old scans that you have. They are a delight for me to see, and should be shown! All the very best, Casper

KateinDenmark (1115) 2009-06-19 10:33

A very nice reminder. It's easy to think of this as just a shack, but it is quite picturesque and, as your note points out, a piece of Jamaican history. It's nice that you caught a picture of it before it was destroyed. Great post.

Sincerely,
Kate

Clementi (43659) 2009-06-19 13:30

Ciao Mary,
una buona scansione per questa foto che è un documento storico, spero che le nuove casa possano restistere alla forza della natura.
Giorgio

marietom (31796) 2009-07-03 9:41

Hello mary,

jolies couleurs et textures, j'aime bien cette cabane.
Bonne soirée
Marie